Times Chronicle Staff

Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief RoseAnne Archibald is reiterating her calls for a forensic audit and independent investigation into corruption within the AFN secretariat after she was suspended for publicly making the allegation.

“I have made a reasonable request for a forensic audit into salary payout and contracts, as well as an independent investigation into the AFN Secretariat to root out corruption, collusion and the toxic environment,” she said in a June 20 statement.

Her calls have been supported by Ontario Chiefs, including Ontario Regional Chief Glen Hare who said: “If a forensic audit is necessary in order to address the National Chief’s allegations, then perhaps that is what should occur.”

Archibald was suspended on June 17 by the AFN’s Executive Committee and national board of directors after she made public statements a day earlier alleging extensive corruption within the AFN.

That public statement on June 16 violated her contractual obligations to the AFN, “contrary to her Oath of Office, the organization’s Code of Conduct and AFN Whistleblower Policy,” the AFN said.

Archibald says these charges and her suspension are a “desperate attempt” to stop her from uncovering the wrongdoing within the organization.

Archibald was suspended with pay pending the consideration of the outcome of a current investigation into four complaints against her. She is also barred from attending the annual General Assembly and Chief’s Assembly meeting in Vancouver in early July.
“It is regrettable that we had to take this severe action but we had no other choice,” said Regional Chief Paul Prosper, an AFN spokesperson.

He went on to say that the National Chief committed “serious breaches” of her obligations to the AFN through “unfounded and unsubstantiated public attacks on the integrity of our organization and our employees that will only serve to undermine the good work we do as we continue to serve our First Nations communities.”

In her original public statement of June 16, Archibald emphasized she stood for “truth, transparency, and accountability,” saying this is what she campaigned on and why she was elected.

But she added that she was met with “extreme resistance” to what she characterizes as “positive change.”

“In my efforts to clean up the corruption within the AFN, I’ve been undermined, discredited, and attacked.”

She added that this is the second time that she’s endured a smear campaign as a result of her “relentless pursuit of the truth.”

The AFN Secretariat, along with two Regional Chiefs, “are choosing to focus on infighting rather than advocacy for the people that we serve,” she said.

Welcoming an internal investigation of the organization, Archibald cautions expectations by saying the investigation is being conducted by some of those who are involved in the very corruption they are investigating.

She also said the irony is not lost on her that as the first female National Chief, she is the first to be suspended by the Executive. She also said the Chiefs-in-Assembly must address the question of whether her suspension from the corporation board followed “good and fair process.”

“While I have been suspended from the board of directors of the ‘NIB/AFN corporation’ I am still the duly elected National Chief until the Chiefs across Turtle Island say otherwise,” she added.

“Let me assure you, I’ll continue to work until AFN’s structures are free from corruption and our work is based on truth, transparency and accountability.

“AFN must become a model of good governance, excellent financial management, and respect in all of our communication and behaviour. The recent events show that we are far from that goal,” Archibald said.

“What was done in darkness shall always find its way into the light,” she added.